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Dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) Biologging Dataset in the Eastern Pacific Ocean
Christopher R Perle1, John O'Sullivan2, Sofia Ortega-Garcia3
1California State University Monterey Bay, Seaside, California, 93955, USA. chperle@csumb.edu.
Scientific Data
|February 25, 2026
Summary
A collaborative research program tagged 313 dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) in the Eastern Pacific. This study provides valuable movement and habitat use data for this important pelagic species.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Fisheries Science
- Oceanography
Background:
- The dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) is ecologically, economically, and culturally significant in the Eastern Pacific.
- Understanding movement patterns and habitat use is crucial for effective conservation and management of this pelagic species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a long-term research program on dolphinfish movement and habitat use in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
- To generate a novel, publicly available dataset on dolphinfish tagging and tracking.
Main Methods:
- Collaboration between Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas (CICIMAR-IPN) and Monterey Bay Aquarium (MBA) since 2010.
- Tagging of 313 dolphinfish off Baja California and Oaxaca, Mexico.
- Deployment of 153 pop-up archival (PAT) tags and conventional tags, with tracking durations up to 141 days.
Main Results:
- 109 successful PAT deployments provided data on dolphinfish movement and habitat use.
- Conventional tag recapture rate was 3% (n=5 of 160).
- Electronic tags experienced high rates of early release (n=33) and non-reporting (n=43).
Conclusions:
- A large, long-term dataset on dolphinfish has been compiled and made publicly available.
- The data supports future research on dolphinfish ecology, behavior, and population dynamics.
- Public accessibility via Animal Tracking Network (ATN) and DataONE Research Workspace facilitates broader scientific engagement.
